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COP22 Where next after the Paris climate change agreement?

In 2015, Good Energy brought you all the action from COP21 in Paris. We saw governments from around the globe agree to limit the warming of the planet to well below two degrees – the first legally binding agreement of its kind.

With the treaty finally coming into force last week – and the start of COP22 in Morocco – we wanted to take a look at what happens next, what we hope will be achieved and whether the agreement will ultimately be enough in the fight against climate change.

THE PARIS AGREEMENT

As it stands, 110 countries from around the world have submitted plans to meet the agreement made in Paris.

The UK firmly announced its commitment on 17th November becoming the 111th party to do so. The speed at which governments have pushed the agreement into force is unprecedented - it’s a powerful message and highlights the importance nations attach to combating climate change.

But is it enough?

OUR GLOBAL TARGETS

2015 saw the world’s economy decarbonised by a record 2.8%, but this still falls far short of the reduction needed to achieve the two degrees goal.

And despite many parties outlining their plans to phase out greenhouse gas emissions completely, there is, for many, a distinct difference between the ambition and what will actually happen before and after 2020.

While no-one is expecting any of the show stopping drama we saw last year, COP22 will check that everyone is still on the same page and, more importantly, whether they’re actually putting into action the necessary policy steps which will take Parties towards their stated carbon reduction ambitions and beyond.

SO WHAT NEXT?

I’m not expecting anything too radical over the next few weeks, however the progress COP has made in recent years is encouraging. We should showcase great examples of what has already been achieved and inspire those, who haven’t already, to submit their plans as soon as possible.

The move to a 100% renewable, cleaner, greener future is possible and definitely within our grasp, if governments act now and quickly.